If babies can learn about quantum entanglement, so can you!

So quantum entanglement is hard to get your head around, right? I mean, Albert Einstein described it as “spooky action at a distance.” (Which really is a pretty boss description.) Quantum entanglement is a physical event during which pairs (or groups) of particles interact in a way where the quantum state of each particle cannot be described independently of any of the other particles, even if the particles are separated by a large distance. If you measure a quantum property of a particle, the act of measurement impacts the particle. If you measure a quantum property of an entangled particle, the other particles in the entangled system know what you’ve done. The craziest part: we don’t currently know how. Complex stuff, right? Maybe not. Apparently, infants and toddlers are digging into the topic these days.

YOU SEE, WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS . . .

Someone recently posted a link to series of children’s books on my Facebook page.  They suggested I get them for my son, Julian. When I read the titles, I was hooked. Come on. “Quantum Entanglement for Babies“? “Quantum Physics for Babies“? “Newtonian Physics for Babies“? “Optical Physics for Babies“? “General Relativity for Babies“?  Just stop.  Adorable.  Parents of newborns know that your impulse buy defenses go out the window with your sleep schedule. You know I bought them all. I wish there were more books like this in the world. Mostly I wish I had come up with the idea.  The publisher has done a great job with the series so far.  My only complaint is that there aren’t more of them. “Quantum Computing for Babies” is definitely in order.

THE AUTHOR (WHO I’M JEALOUS OF)

The books were written by Chris Ferrie. Chris is a physicist, mathematician, and father of four budding young scientists.  He earned his doctorate in mathematical physics from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada. He’s currently a faculty member at the Centre for Quantum Software and Information in Sydney, Australia.

Like me, he clearly believes it’s never too early to introduce children to science. After ordering the books for Julian, I reached out to Chris. On top of his impressive credentials and author skillz, he’s an all-around nice guy.

So if you’re someone who thinks these concepts are hard, consider (and I mean this sincerely) starting with Chris’s books. I learned about quantum optics reading to Julian at bedtime.

‍